The 16 Best Toys for 6-Month-Old Babies, According to Parents

reviewed mark Medically Reviewed by Gina Posner, M.D., F.A.A.P.  | January 5, 2024
Best Toys for 6 Month Olds

Quick Summary

The best toys for 6-month-olds are those that are developmentally-appropriate, versatile and safe, according to experts, What to Expect staff and parents in the What to Expect community.

There’s no doubt that your 6-month-old loves to play, play, play. And playtime can be a great opportunity for them to practice their burgeoning motor and cognitive skills. To do that, and keep them engaged, you may want to have a few toys for 6-month-old babies at the ready. 

“Six months old is the ideal time to introduce mirrors and personalized books or toys, as this is the age they start responding to their own name,” says Sarah Lytle, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Playful Learning Landscapes Action Network (PLLAN). Even seemingly basic interactions like imitating your baby’s coos and babbles count as play from birth to 6 months, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). 

When looking for 6 month old toys, you can and should keep things simple. Look for items with interesting textures like fabric, feathers or tissues, or objects that make different sounds when manipulated. Ultimately, the best toys for 6-month-olds are those that will keep baby entertained and engaged, and help them grow developmentally.

How we chose the best toys for 6-month-olds

To find the best toys for 6-month-old babies, we spoke to three experts: Dr. Lytle, Ilan Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.P., medical director of health and wellness at AltaMed Health Services, and Steven Abelowitz, M.D., F.A.A.P., regional medical director of Coastal Kids Pediatrics. We asked them about the most important features to look for in toys for 6-month-olds, based on what’s happening with their development and overall growth. 

Considering their responses, as well as the feedback from parents in the What to Expect community, we reviewed and select the best toys based on the following criteria:

Developmentally-appropriate: Around this age, your baby will benefit from toys that help hone their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and problem solving skills. This includes toys that can be held, chewed on or manipulated in other ways. Toys with rattles and bells are great for introducing interesting sounds, too, while baby mirrors can be used for playing peek-a-boo and keeping their attention during tummy time. Blocks check off all three boxes as they can use them to stack, sort, chew on and manipulate.

Babies are often starting to babble at this age, and there are many toys for 6-month-olds that can help with their early language skills, too. One of the best ways babies learn language is when they are read to. In fact, the AAP recommends reading to your children every day. Because of this, books make great toys. Babies also learn via repetition, so toys that make a game out of repeating things are also great for learning. We made sure that every toy on this list is developmentally appropriate and helps baby one at least one skill, though we prioritized toys that can be played with in multiple ways to improve multiple skills.

Versatility: Because baby has many developmental milestones ahead of them, it’s ideal to get a toy that will remain interesting to them as they grow. We prioritized toys that can be used beyond the 6-month stage,such as an activity center that becomes an activity table or stacking cups that feature numbers on the bottom for learning to count.

Safety: Toys designated for children outside of your baby's age range could include small pieces that pose a choking hazard, so always make sure you’re buying items that are designated for their age category. Babies at 6 months old are putting just about everything in their mouths, so make sure that toys are large enough that they can’t swallow them. Also, avoid toys with loose or easily breakable small pieces that can become choking hazards, too.

Why Trust Us?

What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.

Best Baby Mirror for 6-Month-Olds

Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror

Best Toys for 6-Month-Olds - Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror
Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Versatile
  • Portable
Cons
  • Some parents found the reflection is a bit warped in places

Dimensions: 10 x 10 inches

Weight: 10 ounces

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Dr. Abelowitz recommends an unbreakable mirror for little ones to look at their own reflections. The Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror has a lightweight frame that sits on its own, allowing your baby to stare into it during tummy time or even hold up and move around. Dr. Lytle suggests you get down on the floor with your little one and play a game of peekaboo, popping in and out of the reflection, to combine a few of baby’s favorite things in one and encourage interaction with each other. Even though the mirror isn’t made of glass, it still gives baby a fairly clear reflection.

The mirror also comes with crinkly, textured leaves and fun toys attached to the corners that encourage tactile exploration and visual development.

Community Reviews
  • My baby definitely didn’t do as much tummy time as suggested. It took a lot of different toys to finally find a couple that kept her interested on her tummy. These two did it for my LO: Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror and Baby Einstein Glow & Discover Light Bar Activity Station.

Best Interactive Toy for 6-Month-Olds

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Piggy Bank

Fisher Price Piggy Bank
Buying Options
Pros
  • Versatile
  • Includes English and Spanish options
  • Self-storing
Cons
  • Some said it tips over easily

Dimensions: 6.69 x 6.1 x 6.3 inches 

Weight: 1.5 pounds 

Power: 2 C batteries required (included) 

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For an interactive toy that baby will use as they grow, this Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Piggy Bank is an excellent option. It features bright colors and over 40 different sounds, making it engaging for baby. It helps teach them hand-eye coordination as they try to get the coins into the slot on top or open the door themselves to take the coins out. Even just grabbing the coins and passing them from one hand to the other is a great way for them to practice their fine motor skills.

"My daughter loves to push its nose and hear it oink," says Shelley Gingrich, What to Expect's Executive Director of Brand Solutions. "It's a great toy to help develop fine motor skills too; I loved watching her figure out how to use her little fingers to drop the coins into the slot on top. She's nearly 2 and she still loves to play with it."

Clearly, the Fisher-Price piggy bank is a great long-term toy, too. When I pulled this toy out of storage for my 6-month-old, my 3-year-old immediately started playing with it. They both love the sounds, music, and the challenge of figuring out how to get the coins into the bank. I also appreciate that the coins are large enough that if they end up in my baby’s mouth, I don’t need to worry about her choking. 

Community Reviews
  • “When my first daughter turned 1 her favorite gifts were Spike the Hedgehog and the Fisher Price Piggy Bank. She still plays with them.”

Best Take-Along Toy for 6-Month-Olds

Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy

Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes
Pros
  • Portable
  • Easy for baby to hold
  • Engaging
Cons
  • Hard to clean

Dimensions: 4.8 x 1.1 x 5 inches 

Weight: 3.68 ounces 

Power: 2 AA batteries required (included)

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Small, inexpensive and entertaining, this Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy is a great option for parents who really want a toy to take on-the-go. The chunky handle makes it easy for babies to hold by themselves, and the portable size means it’s ideal to toss into a diaper bag or hand to baby when they’re in the stroller. It features 10 different melodies that babies can easily switch on their own, all of which parents swear aren’t as annoying as some other musical toys. (There’s a volume control for parents who don’t want to listen to these songs on repeat, though.)

“It is super portable; it’s easy to throw in a diaper bag for a quick or long trip,” says Sarah Darby, Senior SEO Strategist with What to Expect who has a 1-year-old. “The tunes are repetitive, but they’re honestly less annoying than other similar toys, and (very importantly) it has an off switch so it isn't randomly making noise in the toy bin. And he actually still plays with and likes this toy at almost 2, which is always a plus!”

This was such a hit with my children, too, that I immediately ordered a replacement when we lost our first one. My kids loved switching the music on their own, but they also loved just sitting there and listening to the songs while watching the lights flash in front of them. At 6-months-old, babies don’t have much of an attention span, and this kept them busy for far longer than most other toys. The battery life also lasts a surprisingly long time.  

Community Reviews
  • “We’re starting to love music and lights more and loving the baby Einstein music toys.”

     

  • “My LO(7w5d) would cry during tummy time especially if we put him on the floor play mat without the boopy. So i started distracting him by using this "Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical toy",and it works.”

     

Best Musical Toy for 6-Month-Olds

VTech Baby Lil' Critters Moosical Beads

Best Toys for 6 Month Olds: VTech Lil Critters Moosical Beads
Buying Options
Pros
  • Soft
  • Easy for babies to hold
  • Interactive
Cons
  • Some parents say the music and sounds are too loud

Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.8 x 6.5 inches

Weight: 8.8 ounces

Power: 2 AAA batteries required (included)

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The adorable VTech Baby Lil' Critters Moosical Beads is made of different fabrics to stimulate baby's senses: They'll love exploring the textures of everything from silky satin to rough terry. The colors and patterns are bright and engaging, too. Plus, the farm animal's neck has ring toys to spin and two buttons for baby to push for songs, phrases, letters, shapes and colors. For parents concerned about all that noise, the toy has an automatic shutoff that helps preserve battery life and will give your ears a break. 

Reviewers rave about the volume control and how soft and plush the cow is. They also say that there’s a lot for baby to play with, and that it helps teach them things down the line, like the ABC’s and colors.

Community Reviews
  • Love this thing! We've bought 3 already. In case it stops working.

  • “My girl loves this moosical cow more than she loves my husband or I. She literally flips out when she sees it. Pulls herself along the carpet for it. Rolled for the first time back to belly to get to it….. She practiced spinning the beads and hitting the buttons for weeks and now she’s entirely amazing at it.”

     

Best Stacking Toy or 6-Month-Olds

Melissa & Doug Rainbow Stacker Wooden Ring Toy

Best Stacking Toy or 6-Month-Olds - Melissa & Doug Rainbow Stacker Wooden Ring Educational Toy
Buying Options
Pros
  • Great for encouraging baby-parent interaction
  • Durable
  • Simple
Cons
  • Some wish it was a bit bigger

Dimensions: 8.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches

Weight: 14.4 ounces

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Dr. Abelowitz says that a ring stacker, like this highly-rated Melissa & Doug Rainbow Stackeris good for hand eye coordination. Baby can easily grab the thick rings and safely bring them to their mouths. It encourages parent-child interaction, too: Help your little one stack each of the eight brightly-colored wooden pieces while narrating what each color is and counting the rings as they pile up.

Olivia DeLong, Senior Editor, says her daughter has played with this stacking toy for years. "I think she was initially drawn to them because of the vibrant colors," she says. "They are durable and have held up over time, but what we love most about them is their versatility: They teach shape, color and size-differentiation skills, and also help with fine motor skill development. A total win-win!"

Note that while it’s recommended for little ones 18 months and older, lots of reviewers say that their babies had fun playing with this earlier on, from holding the rings in their hands to watching older siblings or parents stack up the rings in front of them.

Community Reviews
  • "My baby's favorite is her corner climber and her ring stacker. She likes to stack the rings, but also throw them down the 'slide' part of her corner climber."

Best Activity Center for 6-Month-Olds

Skip Hop Baby Activity Center

Best Toys for 6-Month-Olds - Skip Hop Baby Activity Center
Buying Options
Pros
  • 360-degree rotating seat
  • Converts to a table when baby gets older
Cons
  • Expensive

Weight/height recommendations: Do not use with children over 25 pounds or taller than 30 inches

Dimensions: 31 x 31 x 18.5 inches

Weight: 15 pounds

Power: AAA batteries required

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As baby starts to get more mobile (by now, they’re likely able to roll on their own), you may want to trade their activity mat for an activity center that will keep them happily entertained in one place. The Skip Hop Baby Activity Centeroffers a 360-degree rotating seat so baby can twist and bounce. It has four toys on the main console for baby to practice fine motor skills: peek-a-boo clouds that pop up and squeak, a wobble lamb with rattle beads, a sun bead mover with a spinner, and a swaying toy that moves back and forth. There’s also a kick-to-play piano at their feet so they can practice gross motor skills, too, plus cause-and-effect when they realize pressing the keys makes music play. 

"We called it her 'office' — she would spin and play with the various toys," says Jeanne Beacom, Campaign Performance Manager. "It's also very adaptable. When she was smaller, we could prop blankets around her to help her stand up a little better, or put books under the foot plate to make sure she had her feet properly supported."

When your little one is too big to use this as a bouncer, it can transform into a standing toy and later, a play table. Parents love the versatility and how it can grow with your little one, with some even noting that their kids have played with it for years.

Community Reviews
  • I got the Skip Hop Activity Center because I liked that you can use it as a table later on. I also appreciate the simplicity, feels like babies can get overwhelmed and overstimulated with some activity centers.

  • “My sons been using it’s since 4.5 months (I think). He is almost 6 months. He absolutely loves it.”

  • “My daughter has this and we use it daily. Because it’s not a jumper it allows for her to stand with flat feet and play.”

     

Best Toy Kit for 6-Month-Olds

The Lalo Play Box: 5-6 Months

Lalo The Play Box 5 to 6 Months
Buying Options
Pros
  • Simple
  • Includes a play guide
  • Can be purchased as a subscription
Cons
  • Expensive

Dimensions: Soft Block: 3 x 3 x 3 inches; Roller: 2.56 x 2.16 inches; Tissue Box: 4.4 x 4.2 x 4.3 inches; Rattle Socks: 3 x 2.25 x 2.25 inches; Baby Car: 3. 9 x 3.3 x 2.8 inches; A Little Book About Trust: 5.625 x 5.625 inches

Weight: 1.7 pounds (total)

Why We Love It

Designed for 5- and 6-month-olds, the The Play Box from Lalo is designed to help baby reach milestones. Inside you’ll find six toys, each one targeting at least one developmental skill; from a rolling toy that helps hone fine motor skills and visual tracking, to a soft block that helps them practice grasping and explore different textures. The box can be purchased alone or as part of a subscription, which delivers a new box every other month until baby is 2 years old. Parents appreciate that Lalo’s toys are sustainably-made with non-toxic materials, so they don't have to worry when baby inevitably puts these toys in their mouth.

Best Developmental Toy for 6-Month-Olds

Fisher-Price Baby's First Blocks with Storage Bucket

Best Toys for 6-Month-Olds - Fisher Price Baby First Blocks Storage Bucket
Pros
  • Comes with storage bucket
  • Multiple ways to play
  • Has a carry handle
Cons
  • The lid could be more secure

Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.3 x 5.5 inches

Weight: 11.4 ounces

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With 10 chunky, easy-to-hold geometrically-shaped blocks, your baby can stack the blocks, bang them together or take them in and out of the included storage basket. These actions will help them develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills while they have fun exploring the shapes with their hands (and their mouths, too!).

Because the top of the storage basket is a shape sorter, your little one can use it to work on problem-solving skills as they get older. The handle on the basket makes this a fun take-along toy, and all the blocks fit neatly inside for quick and easy clean up. Reviewers note that it’s great for learning shapes, making it a great toy babies will play with long after the 6-month mark.

Community Reviews
  • My daughter LOVES the Baby’s First Blocks. She will play with the little bucket for 15-20 minutes straight. It’s so simple.

Best Stacking Cups Toy for 6-Month-Olds

The First Years Stack N Count Cups

Most Versatile Toy for 6-Month-Olds - The First Years Stack Up Cup Toys
Buying Options
Pros
  • Simple
  • Inexpensive
  • Portable
  • Versatile
Cons
  • Some parents wish it didn’t repeat colors

Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.25 x 2.5 inches

Weight: 4.9 ounces

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There's a reason parents rave about the First Years Stack N Count Cupsset. The list of activities you can do with them is virtually endless, as infants can use them to hold, bang, chew on and more. During tummy time, as your baby lies on a mat, you can stack the cups just out of reach. 

"They will try to reach them, and that's actually good for them," Dr. Shapiro says. "It helps them control their balance. And, it's fun for them."

He also notes that these are an especially great toy because of their simplicity: They’re affordable, portable and allow baby to practice problem solving and fine motor skills. Later, they can use them to identify colors and practice counting with the big numbers on the bottom. Parents love this versatility, and that they can be used in the bath as well. Plus, their stacking design makes them super easy to store.

Community Reviews
  • [My little one] bangs them together and tries to eat them but easily played with them for 2 hours over the weekend. I played with her by banging my own two cups together and then building towers so she could knock it over.

  • I was skeptical, cause they look so uninteresting. But the reviews were amazing, so I thought I’d try them. He LOVES them! 2 days of non stop laughter.

  • Even my 3-year-old nephew loves to play with them too, so they are a toy that will last for quite some time.

  • So simple, yet [my little one] keeps finding new fun things (bang them together, take them apart, we stack them and knock them down, there are holes for playing with water in the bathtub).

Best Learning Toy for 6-Month-Olds

‘Babies Love Colors’ Board Book

Best Toys for 6-Month-Olds - Colors Lift Flap Board Babies
Buying Options
Pros
  • Sturdy flaps
  • Helps baby develop fine motor skills
Cons
  • Some parents wish there were more pages

Pages: 12

Dimensions: 5 x 0.9 x 5 inches

Weight: 8.8 ounces 

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Books with flaps help baby explore by working their fine motor skills, says Dr. Lytle, who adds that you should “look for a book with resilient, sturdy flaps that your baby will be better able to manipulate.” The 'Babies Love Colors' board book offers just that with large, colorful flaps and thick pages that are easy for baby to turn. Parents say that this book provides easy-to-turn thick pages that make babies excited to use. This book will also get a lot of use because you can continue using it as baby starts learning how to identify colors and letters.

Community Reviews
  • "We like "Babies love colors" since the flaps are extra sturdy."

Best Sensory Toy for 6-Month-Olds

Miniland Sensory Balls

Miniland Sensory Balls
Buying Options
Pros
  • Versatile
  • Easy to clean
  • Features multiple textures
Cons
  • Expensive

Dimensions: 8.78 x 7.48 x 3.15 inches 

Weight: 0.4 ounces

Why We Love It

It’s amazing how something as simple as a set of sensory balls can entertain a 6-month-old. These Miniland Sensory Balls come with a set of six different balls made of 100% natural rubber, which means they’re soft for baby to handle and the six different textures make them easy to grip. 

Jamison Hermann, Senior Producer at What to Expect, says these balls were a hit for both his eldest daughter and now his youngest. "The variety of sizes, colors and textures is fun for her to explore," he says.

I had these for both of my daughters around the 6 month age and they were a hit for each of them. They loved to grab them, examine them and roll them all around, chasing after them once they got old enough to start crawling. As they got older, they could still play with these and loved tossing them around. They are so simple and easy to stash when not in use; plus, I loved the all-natural material.

Best High Chair Toy for 6-Month-Olds

Sassy Wonder Wheel Activity Center

Best Toys for 6-Month-Olds - Sassy Wonder Wheel Activity Center
Buying Options
Pros
  • Stays suctioned to tray
  • Portable
  • Bright and colorful
Cons
  • Some say water can get inside

Dimensions: 5 x 6 x 8 inches

Weight: 2.4 ounces

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A toy with a suction cup, like the Sassy Wonder Wheel Activity Center, sticks securely to baby’s high chair tray so they can stay entertained while you’re occupied (but in the same room, of course!). They can practice motor skills and hand-eye coordination by spinning the wheel to set off the cascading beads and a blur of colors, while creating a rattling sound. It’s a lot for baby to look at, which is perfect for 6-month-olds who have a more sophisticated level of visual tracking. At 8 inches tall, the toy can fit into large diaper bags for entertaining your child when you’re dining out. Parents appreciate how versatile this toy is, with some saying they use it on activity centers and even in the bath. 

Community Reviews
  • My lo is loving this toy. I love that it is also helping him with sitting up.

  • “My lo is loving this toy. I love that it is also helping him with sitting up.” 

Best Book for 6-Month-Olds

'My First I See You: A Mirror Book' by Eric Carle

Best Toys for 6-Month-Olds - My First I See You: A Mirror Book
Buying Options
Pros
  • Mirror makes reading even more interactive
  • Beautiful illustrations
Cons
  • Some say it’s a little short

Pages: 14

Dimensions: 7 x 0.6 x 7 inches

Weight: 7.2 ounces

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Six-month-olds love to look at themselves in the mirror, so use that to your advantage with this interactive book. Beloved children's author Eric Carle's ‘My First I See You' book has mirrors that you can use to point to baby and say their name among the whimsical illustrations and charming rhymes.

Playing with a mirror is beneficial to your baby's development as they learn how to focus their vision and identify faces. And, it'll help keep baby engaged during tummy time. Parents love how they can use this book over and over again because of the mirror, and as baby gets older, they’ll understand the story, too.

Community Reviews
  • My son loves books with mirrors, especially the My First I See You book.

  • “His favorite is by far his little mirror book! It’s not any particular ones, he just loves the mirrors in it!!”

  • “My baby loves books with mirrors or crinkle books!”

Best Bath Toy for 6-Month-Olds

Munchkin Float and Play Bubbles Bath Toy

Best Toys for 6-Month-Olds - Munchkin Float Play Bubbles Bath Toy
Pros
  • Floats
  • Mold-resistant
Cons
  • Some say their babies aren’t overly excited to play with these

Dimensions: 6.5 x 2.5 x 7.25 inches 

Weight: 6.7 ounces

Why We Love It

Each ball in this set olds a surprise inside, either an animal or a toy that spins. Baby can bat at them as they bob along in the tub, or in a small water table or sensory bin. They can also pick them up and shake them to set the rattling beads in motion, honing in on their fine motor skills and learning cause-and-effect. What’s more, textured rings around the bubbles move freely, so your little one will have fun manipulating them, even without the presence of water. The hard plastic toys are BPA-free and mold-resistant.

I’ve used these with both my 6-month-old and my 3-year-old, and both love playing with them. They float nicely and what I really like about them is that they don’t get moldy; the water doesn’t get inside, so they’re easy to clean and store. My baby also loved the rattle sound that they make when you shake them.

Best Hand-Eye Coordination Toy for 6-Month-Olds

The First Years First Keys

Best Hand-Eye Coordination Toy for 6-Month-Olds - The First Years First Keys
Buying Options
Pros
  • Easy to clean
  • Portable
  • Lightweight
Cons
  • Does not offer many ways to play

Dimensions: 3 x 1.5 x 5.2 inches

Weight: 0.8 ounces 

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Does your little one always try to reach for your keys? The First Years' First Keys allows them to have their own set while teaching fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Dr. Shapiro says little plastic keys are great for helping your little one with “passing things from one hand to another.”

What's more, the rounded edges of each key mean that it's no problem if your baby puts them in his mouth to use as a teether. A handy ring holds all the keys together so that none of them get lost. They make a click-clack noise when your baby jangles them around, but it's not too loud (meaning it's a great pick to have in public spaces). In reviews, parents say that they love the simplicity of these: They’re easy to take anywhere. 

Community Reviews
  • My gal is obsessed with … a simple set of plastic keys.

Best Rattle Toy for 6-Month-Olds

HOLA Baby Grab and Spin Rattle

Best Toys for 6 Month Olds: Hola Baby Rattle Ball
Buying Options
Pros
  • Lots of ways to play
  • Portable
  • Easy to grab
Cons
  • Can be difficult to clean around all the grooves

Dimensions: 6.34 x 6.34 x 6.26 inches

Weight: 10.2 ounces

Why We Love It

For a great multi-purpose rattle, check out the HOLA Baby Grab and Spin rattle. It offers numerous ways for baby to flex their budding fine motor skills, with beads that spin, disks that move up and down, a mirror for baby to check out their reflection, blocks for counting and identifying colors, and a button that plays sounds and music. Its open sides are easy to grasp from any angle, and at just over 6 inches all around, it's easily portable. Entertain your little one while they're in their high chair, bring it on walks or roll it across the floor to encourage your tiny tot to crawl towards it. Parents say their babies were entertained for long stretches of time by this toy because of the bright colors and many ways to play.

Our Research

We referenced information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and spoke to the following experts and pediatricians:

  • Sarah Lytle, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Playful Learning Landscapes Action Network (PLLAN)
  • Ilan Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.P., medical director of health and wellness at AltaMed Health Services
  • Steven Abelowitz, M.D., F.A.A.P., regional medical director of Coastal Kids Pediatrics

Additionally, we consulted several What to Expect staff members, including:

  • Jeanne Beacom, Campaign Performance Manager, mom of 2-year-old
  • Sarah Darby, Senior SEO Strategist, mom of a 1-year-old
  • Shelley Gingrich, Executive Director, Brand Solutions, mom of 4-year-old and 1-year-old
  • Olivia DeLong, Senior Editor, mom of a 3-year-old
  • Jamison Hermann, Senior Video Producer, dad of 11-month old and 3-year-old. 

As a mom of two and parenting writer, I’ve also included my experience from testing some of the toys on this list.

Finally, we canvassed the What to Expect community boards to learn which toys for 6-month-olds parents felt were most engaging for their babies.

American Academy of Pediatrics, The Power of Play, June 2022.

American Academy of Pediatrics, How Do Infants Learn?, 2021.

American Academy of Pediatrics, How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe, July 2022.

WhatToExpect.com, Best Games to Play With Your Baby, September 2021.

WhatToExpect.com, Best Activities for a 6-Month-Old Baby, September 2021.

WhatToExpect.com, Benefits of Mirror Play for Babies, August 2021.

Steven Abelowitz, M.D., F.A.A.P., Regional Medical Director, Coastal Kids Pediatrics, Newport Beach, California.

Sarah Lytle, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Playful Learning Landscapes Action Network (PLLAN).

Ilan Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.P., Medical Director, Health Education and Wellness, AltaMed Health Services, Los Angeles, California.